ANN ARBOR, Mich.—Michigan quarterback Tate Forcier admitted Sunday that his attention to football slipped this summer, and that attitude change led to much of the recent drama surrounding him.

"I felt like I was working with the team, just not as much as I should have been," the sophomore said during the Wolverines’ preseason media day. "Part of that is maturity."

Forcier’s tumultuous August became a popular topic Sunday, when he made his first public comments since November. In recent weeks, senior cornerback Troy Woolfolk accused Forcier of skipping summer voluntary workouts and he’s felt like he’s lost the respect of his teammates and coaches, in part by practicing in a helmet not decorated with UM’s trademark wings. He has remained in a three-way tie for the No. 1 quarterback job he held all last season.

The QB duel, which involves sophomore Denard Robinson and true freshman Devin Gardner, won’t be decided until at least midweek. Quarterbacks coach Rod Smith didn’t tip his hand as to the choice, but said Forcier’s summer issues haven’t hurt his status.

"He’s had a good camp," Smith said. "He didn’t come back in shape, and he’s competed as hard as any of the other guys."

Woolfolk expressed different sentiments at the Big Ten Media Kickoff. He questioned Forcier’s leadership role and commitment to the Wolverines. Forcier said the comments surprised him and that he learned of them from his parents. The two players later shared what Forcier called "a deep conversation" that diffused any conflict.

"I stop by his hotel room every day," Forcier said of Woolfolk, who’s likely to miss the season with a leg injury suffered last week. "Ever since that day he called me out, I’m obligated to show him and the rest of the seniors what I’m about."

On Sunday, Forcier said he missed some voluntary workouts to concentrate on academic work. As he studied class notes or met with professors, teammates would send texts and call him, imploring him to join them on the field.

"Some of the guys understood why I wasn’t there," Forcier said. "But, like I said, I still should have been there. There’s always time in every day."

The missed workouts, and ensuing reaction capped a whirlwind 12 months for Forcier. He led Michigan to a 4-0 start last fall, earning a Sports Illustrated cover and whispers about being a Heisman Trophy candidate. Injuries and ineffectiveness sent his season into a spiral, and the winter, spring and summer brought more stress than he hoped.

Forcier said he understands the criticism of his play and decisions. He said hearing it doesn’t frustrate him, and that contrary to recent reports, he hasn’t considered transferring. "Not even a thought," he said.

Later, he also gave a simple way to change it all.

"Our success needs to gain for a lot of people to just back off," Forcier said. "If we keep doing better, everybody is going to back down."